MLB Player News

Crochet allowed one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rays.

Crochet made his Grapefruit League debut, throwing 23 pitches (14 strikes) in his first step on the way to an Opening Day start. Other than a lack of strikeouts, it was an unremarkable outing for the left-hander, who led the majors in 2025 with 255 punchouts. He used most of his repertoire, including a splitter he'd like to use more of in 2026.

Griffin (foot) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles.

Griffin was lifted from his last game Wednesday as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's fine. This is the top prospect's first Grapefruit League start since he swatted a pair of home runs Tuesday against the Red Sox. Griffin is competing for the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop gig.

Rocker allowed two runs on five hits while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Brewers. He also hit a batter.

There was much to like about Rocker's second Cactus League outing. He threw first-pitch strikes to seven of 13 batters and worked out of trouble in the first two innings. Getting ahead early and more use of his changeup have been areas that manager Skip Schumaker is looking for Rocker to focus on. The manager saw the strike-throwing Thursday, but the right-hander did not throw a changeup. "He's still continuing to try and develop," Schumaker told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. "He needs that pitch to be successful. That's why I don't really care so much about the results. We all want to see that changeup." Rocker needs to pitch well during spring training to earn a spot in the rotation, but he also needs more in his arsenal than just a slider and fastball.

Simpson (hamstring) is starting in left field and batting sixth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old is making his first start of spring training Friday after recovering from left hamstring tightness. Simpson showed off his two-category upside in 109 games as a rookie last season with a .295 batting average and 44 stolen bases, but his stats were otherwise underwhelming with 53 runs scored, 26 RBI and no home runs.

Halpin made an adjustment to his swing during the offseason, designed to shorten his movement and repeatability, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Halpin, who belted a three-run home run in Thursday's spring game against Seattle, is competing for a role in the outfield with several others. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt described the swing adjustment as significant. "He's got some power," Vogt said. "But (we want him to) just be able to hit the ball all over the field and be able to repeat the move a lot more." Halpin made a brief impression during a late-season call-up in 2025, serving as a defensive replacement and a baserunning weapon during Cleveland's drive for the postseason. The 23-year-old will need to show significant improvement with his bat to put himself in contention for more than a bench role, however.

Fairchild departed training camp and will compete in the World Baseball Classic for Chinese Tapei, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Fairchild appeared in three games prior to leaving camp and remains in the mix for a spot in the outfield. He's gone 2-for-7 with two runs scored in Cactus League competition.

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Martinez will primarily focus on the outfield, particularly center field, during spring action, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Martinez bounced between second base and the outfield in 2025 and will still be a versatile asset going forward, but the plan during Cactus League games is for him to be out on the grass rather than the dirt. All three of Martinez's spring appearances have come in center field, including Thursday's contest against Seattle in which he belted a double and drew a walk. There are a lot of moving parts in the Guardians' outfield, but Martinez could still land a regular gig in center.

Hoskins is expected to serve as the designated hitter in Friday's spring game against the Cubs, pending final check-ins with the team's medical staff, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hoskins was signed to a minor-league contract last weekend and is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and be part of the Opening Day roster. He and Kyle Manzardo are expected to share first base during the regular season.

Cantillo allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Mariners.

Cantillo, competing for a spot in the Guardians' rotation, had a second consecutive rough Cactus League outing. He worked his pitch count to 47 (29 strikes) but for the second straight start, the left-hander was pulled early in the first inning so that he could return for the second. Three first-inning doubles results in two runs, then a second-inning fielding error, compounded by a walk and a single, led to two unearned runs. Cantillo has allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk over 2.2 spring innings.

Friedl started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's spring game against San Diego.

Friedl, who normally defends center field, moved to left field so that Dane Myers could play center. Reds manager Terry Francona talked to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com about the alignment, which could be deployed during the regular season against certain lefties. The manager praised Myers' defense in center and will try to get Friedl in left a few more times this spring, although the latter is expected to be the primary center fielder during the regular season. Friedl has appeared in three Cactus League games, going 3-for-8 with a walk and three RBI.